Vice President, Futures Initiative at National Audubon Society – New York, New York
Explore Related Opportunities
About This Position
Full time
Requisition ID: JR1112
About Audubon
The National Audubon Society is a leading nonprofit conservation organization with 120 years of science-based, community-driven impact, dedicated to protecting birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow. Birds are powerful indicators of our planet’s health, acting as sentinels that warn us of environmental change and inspire action. Audubon works across the Western Hemisphere, driven by the understanding that what is good for birds is good for the planet. Through a collaborative, bipartisan approach across habitats, borders, and the political spectrum, Audubon drives meaningful and lasting conservation outcomes. With 800 staff and over 1.9 million supporters, Audubon is a dynamic and ever-growing force committed to ensuring a better planet for both birds and people for generations to come. Learn more at www.audubon.org and on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @audubonsociety.
Position Summary:
The National Audubon Society seeks a creative, ambitious, and collaborative Vice President to lead the Futures Initiative — a newly established team within the Strategy Integration Office designed to position Audubon at the forefront of the conservation sector.
This role will inform Audubon's strategy by consistently scanning emerging conservation trends, scientific findings, and technologies to identify high-potential opportunities that extend Audubon's current portfolio of work. The Vice President, Futures Initiative will work laterally across Audubon's Science, Conservation Programs, Data & Technology, Development, and Communications & Marketing teams to pilot new approaches, unlock new funding opportunities, and help guide a multi-year evolution in the organization’s strategic position.
This position is classified as hybrid preferred. Hybrid employees are expected to work in an Audubon office every Monday and Tuesday and an additional two days each month of the employee’s choosing. Remote work within the United States may be considered only for candidates not within commuting distance of an Audubon office, in accordance with Audubon’s “Where We Work” Policy. Audubon offices include locations in:
Albuquerque, NM; Albany, NY; Anchorage, AK; Baltimore, MD; Charleston, SC; Chicago, IL; Columbia, SC; Fargo, ND; Fort Collins, CO; Lincoln, NE; Miami, FL; New Orleans, LA; New York, NY; Oakland, CA; Palm Desert, CA; Roseville, MN; Sacramento, CA; Salt Lake City, UT; Tallahassee, FL; and Washington, DC.
Compensation:
Salary range based on geo-differentials:
$178,000 - $202,000 / year = Albuquerque, NM; Charleston, SC; Columbia, SC; Fargo, ND; Fort Collins, CO; Lincoln, NE; Miami, FL; New Orleans, LA; Salt Lake City, UT; Tallahassee, FL
$201,000 - $226,000 / year = Albany, NY; Anchorage, AK; Baltimore, MD; Chicago, IL; Palm Desert, CA; Roseville, MN; Sacramento, CA; Washington, DC
$223,000 - $251,000 / year = New York, NY; Oakland, CA
Essential Functions:
Strategic Foresight
Serve as Audubon’s point person for scanning emerging conservation trends, scientific findings, and technologies and to identify high-potential opportunities that expand Audubon's current portfolio and maximize Audubon's long-term conservation impact and sector leadership.
Develop and maintain a situation analysis that evaluates Audubon's current portfolio and capabilities alongside emerging external opportunities and threats.
Provide a rigorous evidence base that informs Audubon's next strategic plan, ensuring it is grounded in both internal capacity and external foresight extending 20+ years.
Innovation for Impact
Leveraging their existing networks and subject matter expertise at the intersection of hemispheric conservation, science, and technology, the VP, Futures Initiative will explore specific opportunities including but not limited to:
Connecting Audubon's existing work in bioacoustics with natural climate solutions (NCS), leveraging sustainable market finance opportunities for carbon and biodiversity.
Engaging Audubon in ongoing efforts to address transparency, consistency, and scientific rigor in NCS credits through research and science-based solutions.
In partnership with conservation teams across Audubon, deploy pilot projects to rapidly test and evaluate assumptions, so that projects and programs can be adaptively managed and scaled year over year.
Resource Development
Identify and cultivate new (to Audubon) funding sources and mechanisms in partnership with the Development team, connecting conservation innovation to philanthropic and market opportunities.
Develop and manage the initiative's budget, ensuring responsible resource allocation aligned with strategic priorities.
Qualifications and Experience:
Minimum of 15 years of progressive, professional experience advancing innovative conservation solutions.
Advanced degree (PhD preferred) in a conservation-related field.
Professional reputation as a thought leader at the intersection of science, technology, and conservation delivery. A record of publication is strongly preferred.
Minimum of 10 years of experience in the conservation sector outside the United States, preferably Central or South America, with private, government, or non-governmental organizations.
Fundraising experience, with significant success raising funds from sources outside traditional philanthropy. Must have an enthusiasm for fundraising and a proactive willingness to be deeply engaged in development efforts.
Exceptional skills as a team player, with a proven ability to develop and maintain highly effective working relationships across large, matrixed organizations.
Demonstrated expertise in managing complex projects, coordinating efforts, and fostering collaboration among a wide range of partners.
Strong public presence, with excellent communication and storytelling skills, and the experience and confidence to serve as an effective, outgoing spokesperson for Audubon in its communities of interest.
Experience maintaining and fostering a culture of safety.
Commitment to Audubon’s organizational values of care, collaboration, change, integrity, impact, and innovation.
Experience fostering inclusive and collaborative work environments.
National Audubon Society Competencies: This role will also be accountable to apply and develop the following competencies.
Building Trust: Take actions that give others confidence in your intentions and see you as a truthful and reliable person who follows through on promises and commitments.
Coaching: Guide and develop individuals within the organization, nurturing their professional growth and enhancing performance for the future.
Decision Making: Make decisions based on comparative data and input from various sources, incorporating diverse viewpoints and insights for a holistic understanding.
Leading and Facilitating Change: Be effective in guiding, managing, and supporting organizational or systemic transformations, including considering diverse needs and perspectives.
Strategic Leadership: Demonstrate creative problem-solving skills and articulate strategic vision to help team members and the organization achieve long-term goals.
EEO Statement
We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic outlined by federal, state, or local laws. We are committed to providing an inclusive and accessible hiring process for all candidates.
Accessibility Statement
The National Audubon Society endeavors to keep our careers site accessible to any and all users. If you would like to contact us regarding the accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the application process, please contact Accommodations@audubon.org. This contact information is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.
The National Audubon Society is a leading nonprofit conservation organization with 120 years of science-based, community-driven impact, dedicated to protecting birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow. Birds are powerful indicators of our planet’s health, acting as sentinels that warn us of environmental change and inspire action. Audubon works across the Western Hemisphere, driven by the understanding that what is good for birds is good for the planet. Through a collaborative, bipartisan approach across habitats, borders, and the political spectrum, Audubon drives meaningful and lasting conservation outcomes. With 800 staff and over 1.9 million supporters, Audubon is a dynamic and ever-growing force committed to ensuring a better planet for both birds and people for generations to come. Learn more at